Kimberley - About 150 learners from special schools in the province were handed new school uniform by Nedbank South Africa and the Department of Education.

The benefitting schools are NJ Heyns Special School in the Frances Baard, Learamele Special School in the John Taolo Gaetsewe and Kleinzee Special School in the Namaqua district respectively.

During the handover ceremony at the NJ Heyns special school in Kimberley, MEC highlighted the importance of restoring learner confidence and self esteem in a learning environment.

“We have carefully identified these learners because of their needy social profiles. We hope that with the availability of the new school uniform they will no longer feel isolated or vulnerable amongst other children. We really appreciate and value our partnership with Nedbank and hope that it can be sustained for years to come,’ said Bartlett.

All the learners were identified as needy learners after identification process between the Department and the financial institution (Nedbank).

Nedbank senior official Joshua Pule raised concerns about the reluctance of major companies from larger provinces not paying enough attention to provinces such as the Northern Cape due to the population size. As a result of this disadvantage, Nedbank has committed to go out of their way to support these ignored provinces.

‘’Since 2010 as Nedbank we have invested more than R13 million on the back to school campaign which provides school uniforms and stationary to learners. On top of these 150 learners that are receiving donation today, we will be giving uniforms to an additional 50 learners. We are doing this not only because we can but also because it is a must that learners focus only on education leaving their presentation and appearance in our capable hands. We encourage learners to work hard as education will take them out of poverty,” Pule said.

Jessica Elize Booysen who is a grade 8 learner at NJ Heyns, said that she was very happy and thankful to both Nedbank and the department for selecting her as a recipient of the uniform. She also hopes that it will not be the last support that they receive and that as learners they will appreciate and value the clothes they receive by taking care of the uniform and making sure that they look like good ambassadors of the school.

Chief Director for School Management, Administration and Support Ms Cynthia Modise said that it is pleasing and exciting to mark and celebrate the partnership between the department and Nedbank because it strengthens the mandate of the department to ensure that learners are not only supported in class but also to ensure that their other social needs are attended to.